The Development Control Committee of West Suffolk Council met on Wednesday 2 September 2026. The committee considered two planning applications: one for Hatchfield Farm in Newmarket and another for the West Suffolk Operational Hub in Fornham St Martin.

Hatchfield Farm, Fordham Road, Newmarket

The committee considered a reserved matters application for Hatchfield Farm, Newmarket, concerning the appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale of three commercial units. The application followed an earlier outline planning permission. The officer's recommendation was to approve the application.

During the meeting, additional representations were received from a local trainer regarding traffic generation and the impact on the horse racing industry, and from a local resident concerning HGV movements, drainage, scale, and safety. Amended landscape plans were submitted, which addressed concerns raised by West Suffolk's landscape architect, who subsequently confirmed their satisfaction. Suffolk County Council's lead local flood authority also confirmed that the drainage details provided were sufficient.

The committee was presented with the details of the reserved matters, which included appearance, layout, scale, and landscaping. The National Planning Policy Framework (updated 17 August 2026) and the West Suffolk Development Plan, including site allocation AP19 for Hatchfield Farm and the Newmarket Neighbourhood Plan, were considered material considerations.

West Suffolk Operational Hub, Bury Road, Fornham St Martin

The committee also considered a hybrid planning application for the West Suffolk Operational Hub, which included a full planning application for a car park, hardstanding, and associated infrastructure, as well as a change of use for an existing parking area. An outline planning permission was also sought for the construction of buildings to expand the hub. The officer's recommendation was to approve the application.

The application site comprises part of the existing Operational Hub and an adjoining 10-hectare agricultural field. The existing hub was granted planning permission in 2017 and includes facilities such as a household waste recycling centre and a fleet depot. The agricultural field to the east is identified in the West Suffolk Local Plan as land reserved for the future expansion of the hub.

The full planning application proposed a new staff car park for 175 vehicles, PV canopies, a storage yard, and surface water drainage features. It also included the repurposing of the existing staff car park to provide operational space. The outline application sought permission for future expansion of the hub, with all matters reserved for future consideration.

Various consultations were undertaken, including with the Environment Team, Environment Agency, Cadent Gas, and SCC Highways. The application was referred to the committee because the site is owned by West Suffolk Council. Fornham St Martin and Great Barton Parish Councils did not respond to the consultation.

The committee considered the principle of development, impact on the character and appearance of the area, trees and hedgerows, ecology and biodiversity net gain, transport impacts, land contamination, flood risk and drainage, public health and amenity, sustainable construction and climate change, minerals safeguarding, and archaeology.

The report highlighted that the site is located within a Minerals Consultation Area and has a high-pressure gas pipeline running across it. The application was considered to be in accordance with the West Suffolk Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework, subject to a range of recommended planning conditions. These conditions aimed to ensure appropriate management of construction, environmental protection, biodiversity net gain, and sustainable transport measures. The report concluded that the proposal represented sustainable development and recommended that planning permission be granted.